BILL HAGSTRAND
William E. Hagstrand serves as a senior consultant for NorTech.

Our region has staked out a formidable presence in the growing waste and biomass to energy industry. We have companies that turn organic residuals into electricity and compressed natural gas and others that produce crude oil from end-of-life plastics and rubber waste. Now, an alternative process is emerging in Northeast Ohio that produces high-grade, solid bio-fuels. It's called torrefaction. The term is derived from the French word torrefecation, which means “for roasting.” The process involves the thermochemical decomposition of organic material under low-oxygen conditions at temperatures ranging from 200 to 320 degrees centigrade. In combination with a densification process, this leads to a dry product (low moisture content), such as a pelletized material, with high energy density.The torrefied pellets can be used as low-emission replacements for coal, as a construction material and as a component in plastics compounding. The improved grind-ability of the pellets leads to efficient co-firing in coal-fired power stations or entrained-flow gasification for the production of chemical and transportation fuels. Its hydrophobic properties help to repel water, making bulk storage in open air feasible. A yield of similar product properties can be achieved from a wide variety of raw biomass feedstocks, such as wood plants, perennial grasses or cereals/grains. In our region, Giant Miscanthus , a sterile, hybrid, warm-season perennial grass, is grown for the torrefaction process.The emergence of torrefaction in our region has been prompted by a couple of initiatives. Biomass Fuel Company, based in Chagrin Falls, is developing plans to build a miscanthus processing and torrefaction facility in Grand River, Ohio. The company has identified strategic partners with the capacity to satisfy their feedstock requirements and, according to owner Tom Nelson, initiated research projects at Case Western Reserve University to develop products and patents in the solid fuel applications of torrefied miscanthus. The hope is to have some market-ready application in 2013.

"I believe the business model we are creating in Northeastern Ohio will be held up as a paradigm of vertical integration, where the greater part of the supply chain is held under common management,” Nelson says. “This will create a better opportunity for investment and success through reduced uncertainty, and will position the company advantageously against competition going forward.” Another project currently underway is the USDA's Farm Service Agency's (FSA) Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP). This energy crop production initiative focuses on Giant Miscanthus and is underway in all or parts of Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake and Trumbull counties. It is estimated 1,200 jobs will be created throughout the life of the project.Aloterra Energy LLC, a Texas company with its Midwest headquarters in Ashtabula, is working with the FSA initiative to provide Ohio farms with technical assistance in planting and purchasing the new crop for future use in energy production-- possibly as a feedstock for Midwest renewable fuel initiatives.In fiscal year 2011, approximately 122 contracts were signed to fund 5,344 acres for planting of Giant Miscanthus in the Ohio counties and western Pennsylvania. The goal is to farm 50,000 acres of Giant Miscanthus by 2014. BCAP reimburses farmers for up to 75 percent of planting costs and provides an annual rent payment for five years. When the crops are mature, farms will be eligible to receive two years of matching payments, up to $45 per ton beyond the selling price.

While torrefaction is still in its infancy in Northeast Ohio, the region is already home to three major players in the waste and biomass to energy world that use two different processes: • Vadxx Energy and RES Polyflow utilize a process called thermal depolymerization, which incorporates pressure and heat to reduce complex materials, such as waste plastics and polymers, into a light crude oil or other early-stage petroleum derivatives. • quasar energy group meanwhile uses an anaerobic digestion process to convert organic material to biogas (methane) as well as solids that can be used as a fertilizer or soil amendment. The biogas can be used as vehicle fuel or in a combustion turbine to generate electricity.We have written more extensively about these processes in previous Crain's blogs: • “One man's trash is another man's synthetic crude oil” • “Don't underestimate waste and biomass to energy solutions”. The efforts of Vadxx, RES Polyflow and quasar have put Northeast Ohio on the map as a progressive region in the development of energy from waste and biomass. Torrefaction is another viable process for creating an alternative energy source in Northeast Ohio. Benefits to the region include creation of sustainable rural jobs and reimbursement to farms over several years. The torrefaction process, along with other waste and biomass to energy processes, is an efficient method that aids in cutting our dependence on foreign oil while using both our natural and waste resources.

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